Ding Junhui’s troubles continue after early Masters exit

Ding Junhui’s worrying lack of form continued after he crashed out of The Masters despite making the perfect start in his first round match.

Ding Junhui. Picture by Monique Limbos

It was all going very well indeed for China’s number one star when he won the first three frames of his opening match against Welshman Ryan Day.

But Day, who earlier this season won his first ever ranking event at the Riga Masters – a fete which helped him qualify for this event, produced a stunning comeback winning six of the next seven frames to record a famous 6-4 win.

However, a win for the Welshman looked way off the cards when Ding started the match in style with breaks of 111 and 58. He then dominated the third frame to take a 3-0 lead.

But Day’s response was incredible. He made sure he stayed in the match before the interval – getting his first frame on the board with a run of 79.

He then returned to the Alexandra Palace arena making back to back centuries of 125 and 105 to level at 3-3. Day’s momentum then saw him win the next two frames to take a surprising 5-3 lead.

Ryan Day. Picture by Monique Limbos

With his back firmly to the wall, Ding kept himself in the match with a break of 100 to make it 5-4 but Day closed out the match in impressive fashion with his third century break of the match – a run of 115.

But for Ding his lack of form continues which will be of major concern to him and his supporters. He suffered a shock first round defeat in the UK Championship when he let slip a 5-1 lead to Leo Fernandez and currently looks a shadow of the player he once was in the game.